Kitchen sink drama: scene from
On the Scent by Curious.
Photograph: Hugo Glendinning
Got an unused property on your hands in March or April? Why not turn it into one of London's newest arts venues? London Bubble Theatre Company wants your house, writes Susan Smillie.
Just for a couple of weeks, but you'd best not have anything private lying around because when you hand over the keys, your property and everything in it become part of the show. Don't worry, though: the company promises that houses will be returned to their original state, or in even better condition.
The company is looking for five houses in Greater London for My Home. Part installation, part theatre, the piece will explore the physical and emotional journeys of Polish, Irish, Vietnamese, Somali and Turkish/Kurdish settlers in London. Because the show is drawn directly from personal testimonials, performances in real homes would imbue the stories with an atmosphere and context no theatre could offer. For the same reason, homes within the aforementioned communities would be a plus.
This certainly isn't the first time a theatre company has taken work into private homes. At this year's Edinburgh festival, Curious presented On the Scent in an Edinburgh flat. Plus, the recent explosion in site specific work has gotten audiences more used to the idea of live art in the real world. But this piece promises to be a particularly inventive example of the genre.
Yes, yes, all very worthy, I hear you mutter. But do I get paid for relinquishing my home to a bunch of boho types? Don't be so vulgar: this is for art's sake.
Still, apart from the media attention it will no doubt attract, there will be complimentary tickets and your name in the programme. London Bubble will also "consider and discuss any other requests", but before you start seeing your name in lights, the house is the only star they're looking for.
If your house has five or six rooms, is located in Barnet, Brent, Bexley, Croydon, Ealing, Hackney, Havering, Islington, Southwark or Tower Hamlets, and available for 10-14 days in March or April, email andreagray@londonbubble.org.uk, or call her on 020 7237 4434. The company is also willing to discuss sponsorship deals with businesses and historic building trusts.
